Tuesday 30 December 2014 20:50, UK
India captain MS Dhoni has brought an end to his Test career with immediate effect.
The shock announcement came minutes after Dhoni addressed reporters in the wake of India's draw in the third Test against Australia in Melbourne, which conceded the four-match series 2-0 to the hosts.
The 33-year-old will be replaced by Virat Kohli who will lead the team in the fourth Test against Australia in Sydney on January 6.
A change of captaincy is a good idea and his Test batting has tailed off as well
Dhoni made his Test debut in 2005 against Sri Lanka and made 90 appearances over his career, scoring 4,876 runs with an average of 38.09.
He made six centuries and 33 half-centuries in 144 innings in Test cricket.
The secretary of the Indian cricket board paid tribute to Dhoni after his 90th and now final Test appearance in Melbourne.
Sanjay Patel said: "One of India's greatest Test captains under whose leadership India became the number one team in the Test rankings, MS Dhoni has decided to retire from Test cricket citing the strain of playing all formats of cricket.
"MS Dhoni has chosen to retire from Test cricket with immediate effect in order to concentrate on ODI and T20 formats.
"BCCI, while respecting the decision of MS Dhoni to retire from Test cricket, wishes to thank him for his enormous contribution to Test cricket and the laurels that he has brought to India."
The announcement comes just weeks before India are due to begin their defence of the 50-over World Cup trophy that Dhoni lifted on home soil in 2011.
Sky Sports cricket pundit Bob Willis was shocked at the sudden announcement and said: "He'll be certainly perserving his energy for the World Cup.
"But in successive series, particularly away from home, India have looked a shadow of their former self, But a change of captaincy is a good idea and his Test batting has tailed off as well. I'm surprised Dhoni hasn't waited until the end of the series though."
